Fellow Sierrans: As you know, the Water Quality bill was amended and passed the Senate on Tuesday evening. The Senate struck everything after the enacting clause, and completely re-wrote the bill. It is much improved from the original version, although with remaining concerns. The Senate amendments did at least these changes: ³and² to ³or² in the definition of Credible Data -- this was a major victory for our side; removed the pre-approval requirement for credible data from volunteer monitoring programs -- the second major victory for our side; requires ³collaboration² between DNR and DOT concerning wetlands -- innocuous as they certainly already do this; wetlands mitigation must give priority to mitigation in the same watershed -- a significant victory; other miscellaneous change. Following is the URL for SF 2371 as amended and passed by the Senate, the complete new language (obviously much language is the same, with modest tweaks): http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/78GA/Legislation/SF/02300/SF02371/Current.ht ml It is certainly an improved bill. We will all be working closely on it in the House, where I worry more about weakening than strengthening amendments. The House can be a 'tougher nut' on these issues. Lyle ____________________________________________ Lyle Krewson 6403 Aurora Avenue #3 Des Moines, IA 50322-2862 [log in to unmask] 515/276-8947 - Phone/Fax ____________________________________________ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For SC email list T-and-C, send: GET TERMS-AND-CONDITIONS.CURRENT to [log in to unmask]